Bank Holiday Bangers
To celebrate this joyous occasion, the boffins here at Yahoo! Music have come up with this definitive list of bank holiday bangers, selected using a secret scientific method that we're not allowed to talk about.
Written by Tito Puente in 1963 but popularised by Santana in the 70s, ‘Oye Como Va' has all the hallmarks of a classic summer anthem making us wish we were on a beach in Mexico drinking margaritas whilst simultaneously not catching swine flu.
One of the standout tracks from AJ Rahman's much lauded soundtrack to the Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire, ‘Paper Planes' is slowly rooting itself deep within the nations psyche. Its laid back rhythms and blissed out vocals are surely a perfect accompaniment to a lazy afternoon in your local's beer garden.
8) Sugarhill Gang - ‘Rapper's Delight'
When New Jersey boys Wonder Mike, Big Bang Hank and Master Gee stepped into Sylvia Robinson's Brooklyn studio in the hot summer of 1979, few could have predicted the impact of this 15 minute long hip-hop masterpiece. The track singlehandedly popularised the then burgeoning hip-hop scene securing both the label and the group firmly in the annals of music history.
7) New Order - ‘Bizarre Love Triangle'
Regarded as one of the Mancunian bands finest singles, ‘Bizarre Love Triangle' sounds like rays of sunshine are bursting out of the speakers making us wish we were hanging out at Manchester's Deansgate Lock, sipping a cold beer.
Dre's comeback after his critically panned album ‘The Chronic' turned out this gem. It's surely the prefect track for cruising round the hood with the bass cranked up 'till 11: "Put it in the air!"
5) The Beatles - ‘Here Comes the Sun'
Who could deny Britain's most influential group the honour of a place in our line-up? According to right wing rocker Eric Clapton, George Harrison wrote the song as the sun rose whilst in the full grip of an LSD trip.
One for the dads out there and just who could resist taking the Mondeo out for a spin, turning up the volume and having a full-blown midlife crisis to this slice of anthemic dad rock.
Originally recorded by Marley's group the Wailers in 1965, the most famous version of 'One Love' came from his seminal 1977 album 'Exodus'. Conjuring up images of sandy beaches and shady palms trees, there's no denying ‘One Love' as a bona fide summer anthem.
While it's far from the greatest rock lyric of all-time, Damon Albarn surely speaks for the nation when he wails "Bank holiday comes six times a year, days on enjoyment to which everyone cheers".
1) DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince - ‘Summertime'
It might be clichéd but Big Willy's sun drenched summer anthem unanimously topped the list of our panel of experts. But if you don't agree we'd suggest you crank up the volume, jump in your Benz and cruise down Philly way.
What do you think of our list of bank holiday bangers? What did we forget? Have your say here.


